My favorite California memory is Salinas because I was raise and born there. I feel like I know everyone that lives there just because I was born there and the people who are there too. It’s hard to explain the connection one has to one by living in Salinas. We’re all a community and somewhat a big family.
R.C
As the child of an immigrant family who has settled on this land– after the impacts of colonial capitalist institutions diluted culture, poisoned water(LIFE) sources and [cont. to] attempt unearthing indeegnous communities, beyond man-designed borders– it is crucial that we acknowledge the original caretakers of this land, the Ohlone Costanoan Esselen, Mutsun, Rumsen people, who continue to remember, to practice ancestral traditions in honor of the realities that will not be forgotten and the struggle against the violence that continues to be perpetuated.
My “favorite memory” of “California” is more of a feeling– an undeniable experience, in recentering and recalling consciousness, as we move through recollection of suppressed and neglected memories and dreams. This is no metaphor. As real as when we say “Water is Life”, these past few years ~solar rotations~ have especially guided us to (RE)visit places (parks, waters, sunsets, paths, familiar homes) and transgenerational situations that extend beyond city or county lines– which challenge us to move through all the pain and traumas that we excused, ignored in order to exist. Feeling the spirit, the essence of the pebbles, the dirt that we stand on, has reminded memories to strike louder and much less apologetic. This is no metaphor. As real as when we affirm “Land Back” as means of uplifting Indegenous Sovereignty.
Thank you all for sharing, inviting our stories, realties to weave together ~ in solidarity and co-creation with you all.
My favorite California memory is Salinas because I was raise and born there. I feel like I know everyone that lives there just because I was born there and the people who are there too. It’s hard to explain the connection one has to one by living in Salinas. We’re all a community and somewhat a big family.
R.C
My favorite California memory is me hanging out at bonfires all night with close friends and just enjoying each others company.
As the child of an immigrant family who has settled on this land– after the impacts of colonial capitalist institutions diluted culture, poisoned water(LIFE) sources and [cont. to] attempt unearthing indeegnous communities, beyond man-designed borders– it is crucial that we acknowledge the original caretakers of this land, the Ohlone Costanoan Esselen, Mutsun, Rumsen people, who continue to remember, to practice ancestral traditions in honor of the realities that will not be forgotten and the struggle against the violence that continues to be perpetuated.
My “favorite memory” of “California” is more of a feeling– an undeniable experience, in recentering and recalling consciousness, as we move through recollection of suppressed and neglected memories and dreams. This is no metaphor. As real as when we say “Water is Life”, these past few years ~solar rotations~ have especially guided us to (RE)visit places (parks, waters, sunsets, paths, familiar homes) and transgenerational situations that extend beyond city or county lines– which challenge us to move through all the pain and traumas that we excused, ignored in order to exist. Feeling the spirit, the essence of the pebbles, the dirt that we stand on, has reminded memories to strike louder and much less apologetic. This is no metaphor. As real as when we affirm “Land Back” as means of uplifting Indegenous Sovereignty.
Thank you all for sharing, inviting our stories, realties to weave together ~ in solidarity and co-creation with you all.